If you’re sick, you may need even more water to keep your body hydrated while fighting the illness. Keep a water bottle with you throughout the day to ensure water is always on hand when needed.
Some herbal tea has properties as a decongestant. Mint, chamomile, and ginger teas are all especially effective at clearing a runny nose. If you have a sore throat, add 2 tablespoons (30 mL) of honey to your tea. Honey has anti-inflammatory properties that can soothe your throat.
Look for spices like cayenne pepper, horseradish, ginger, wasabi, and habanero—all of which contain capsaicin and would be highly effective at clearing your nose.
You could also add essential oils to the water; peppermint, pine, sage, spearmint, tea tree, and eucalyptus all have decongestant properties. Add 1 drop of oil per 1 cup (240 mL) of water. [5] X Research source Repeat the facial steam 2 to 4 times each day as needed, and be careful not to get too close to the steam; it could burn your nasal passages.
If you’re not in the mood for a full shower, you can always turn on the shower and close all doors and windows in the bathroom, so steam builds up rapidly. Sit in your bathroom, breathing deeply until your sinuses clear.
Repeat the process and reapply the warm washcloth if your runny nose persists. Alternatively, you could wet the washcloth, wring it out, then stick it in the microwave for 30 to 45 seconds until it’s warm.
Use distilled or sterile water to make the saline solution. It’s best to use clean water when filtering it through your nose!
Saline spray is easy to find and inexpensive, but you can also make your own saline spray at home with salt, baking soda, and warm water. Avoid using a nasal spray for more than 5 days, as this can cause congestion to return. Talk to your doctor about other solutions if your runny nose lasts longer.
Make sure you clean your humidifier to prevent mold and bacteria from growing inside it. Read the manufacturer’s instructions for your humidifier, so you know how often to clean it! If your runny nose is seasonal, caused by cold and dry air in the winter, a humidifier is a great long-term solution to fight congestion.
If your nose is extremely runny, rip a tissue in half, roll the pieces into 2 small balls, and place one in each nostril to stop the flow of mucus. Use moisturizing tissues to blow your nose if you can, so the skin beneath your nose doesn’t become irritated. If you blow your nose too hard, mucus might get pushed further into your sinuses.
If the allergens are indoors (like pet dander or dust mites), vacuum frequently and wash bedding and stuffed toys in hot water. For outdoor allergens like pollen, keep windows closed when possible and consider investing in an air purifier, so there’s no pollen inside your house.
You could also apply nasal strips, as they ease congestion and make breathing easier. Simply place one over the bridge of your nose before going to sleep. Though nasal strips are usually used at night, you could apply them during the day if needed.
Common antihistamines include Benadryl and Zyrtec. Popular decongestants include Sudafed and Vicks Sinex. Cold medicine alleviates other cold symptoms beyond the runny nose. Take cold medicine (like DayQuil or Theraflu) if you need to treat a cough, fever, aches, sore throat, or other symptoms. Only use a decongestant for 2 to 3 days. If overused, decongestants can cause congestion to return even more severely.
